Most teams are overloaded. This is why any “change effort” or new set of Strategic Goals is often met with resistance. Many teams have annual projects on their “to do” list which don’t make much of a difference, but it is part of their job. When new, additional work shows up, it is no wonder that people push back Strategic Leaders need to practice Strategic Subtraction … [Read more...] about Your Strategic Subtraction List
Strategy
When You Cannot Manage Change
A friend pulls out a 64-square game board and asks, “Want to play?” You see two games: chess or checkers. So, you ask, “Which one?” Today’s organizations – for profit, NGO, and government – confront challenges that, like the board, invite two different games: traditional management and adaptive practice. To know which, you must ask: Is this a “we know how to do this” c … [Read more...] about When You Cannot Manage Change
Aligning Your Strategy and Execution
“Is Execution Where Strategy Goes to Die?” That is the headline of an article from Harvard Business Review online (11/7/17). That’s a funny, but sad, headline – because it is so true! The article goes on to say: “Execution is an odd word. On the one hand, it means ‘the carrying out of a plan or course of action.’ On the other, it means, ‘the carrying out of a death sentence … [Read more...] about Aligning Your Strategy and Execution
Strategy KISS
We often overcomplicate things. Every now and then it helps to follow the KISS Principle: Keep It Super Simple. As someone who has written a book about strategy, and teaches both corporate strategy and nonprofit strategy at University of Maryland, I can definitely complicate strategic planning. But let’s keep it simple. The first thing I ever learned about strategy is … [Read more...] about Strategy KISS
Is Your Change Effort Ready to Launch?
Leading change is one of the most important – and challenging – senior leadership responsibilities. Unfortunately, research shows that most change efforts fail. While having a “sense of urgency” is widely regarded as important to a successful change effort, ironically – many efforts fail when a change is launched too soon. It takes a wise leader to balance the tension bet … [Read more...] about Is Your Change Effort Ready to Launch?